AFC Wimbledon boss Neal Ardley has described the capture of Peter Sweeney on a free transfer as a massive coup.

Dons swooped on the 28-year-old Bury midfielder after learning he wanted to move back to London for “family reasons”.

Sweeney, who turned out for Millwall in the 2004 FA Cup final against Manchester United, has almost 240 league appearances under his belt and is taking a step down from League One to join the League Two strugglers.

Ardley, who is celebrating back-to-back league wins for the first time this season after Paul McCallum’s goal beat Rochdale 1-0 at the Spotland stadium on Saturday, is also hopeful of bringing in more names, as well as working on extending loans.

Pending a medical, former Dons favourite Chris Hussey is returning to Kingsmeadow from Coventry City on a free transfer.

Meanwhile, Neil Sullivan’s loan ends after this weekend’s visit of Wycombe, while McCallum has two more weeks as a Don.

Ardley said: “We’ve tracked Peter for some time. He has great quality, calmness and experience about him. He has played a lot at the level above us but he knows what this level is all about.

“To get a player like that to come down to us in a relegation fight – within our budget – is a massive coup.

“He’s a winner and a moaner, and he likes to be on the winning team, and it what we need. I’m sure he’ll be a great asset.

“It’s a great start as far as bringing players in, but there is a long way to go.”

Meanwhile, Christian Jolley will be allowed to leave the club if the fee is right – Forest Green Rovers and Newport County are the clubs vying for his signature, while Luton Town have pulled out.

Ardley said: “Christian has to be realistic and make sure he gets the right deal.

“If he wants to go out and be a star player then he needs to look at one of those clubs.

“It is in Christian’s hands, we’ve said we’re happy to let him go if the fee is right.”